Celebrating a Visionary: Mica Ertegun’s Remarkable Art Collection (Part 1 of 2 posts).

Celebrating a Visionary: Mica Ertegun’s Remarkable Art Collection (Part 1 of 2 posts).

In the vibrant aftermath of astounding sales at Sotheby’s New York, Christie’s takes the spotlight tonight with a spectacular display of the Mica Ertegun collection—an inspiring showcase that celebrates not just art, but the profound influence of an extraordinary woman collector and philanthropist. Mica Ertegun’s life story and her discerning eye for masterpieces present an aspirational journey for art enthusiasts and future collectors.

Kicking off on November 19th at 7:00 PM EST, Christie’s New York inaugurates a series of auctions honouring the insightful life of Mica Ertegun, a woman whose legacy transcends mere possession of art to become a narrative of influence and mastery in the cultural landscape. Across various illustrious sales, both in person and online, this auction series extends through December 14th to 18th. These events reveal the curated elegance of Ertegun’s art collection, offering a rare glimpse into the opulent yet understated world she cultivated.

Among the exquisite works featured is René Magritte’s "L'empire des lumières," lauded for its enigmatic serenity. This painting, one of only 17 in Magritte's series, could reach an unprecedented $100 million, redefining benchmarks in the art auction sphere. In addition to Magritte, pieces by luminary artists such as David Hockney, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Morris Louis, Ed Ruscha, and a striking sculpture by Henry Moore are anticipated attractions—each echoing the refined taste Ertegun was celebrated for.

Mica Ertegun’s life is a mosaic of resilience and defiance of the ordinary. Born Ioana Maria Banu in 1926 into a distinguished Romanian lineage, Mica, affectionately referred to by her childhood moniker, embarked on a personal odyssey through the upheavals of post-war Europe. Finding refuge first in Switzerland and later Paris, she eventually arrived in the burgeoning cultural mecca of New York City.

Her 1961 marriage to Ahmet Ertegun—a legendary figure who not only co-founded Atlantic Records but shaped the modern musical soundscape—paved the way for Mica’s immersion into a world where art and music intertwined seamlessly.

Ahmet Ertegun’s impact on the music industry is towering, marking him as a key architect of 20th-century American music. Co-founding Atlantic Records in 1947, Ahmet transformed the label into a powerhouse, discovering and nurturing an eclectic array of talent. His understanding of artists and genres was profound; he didn’t just promote records—he built careers. Under his guidance, Atlantic Records became synonymous with rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and jazz, cultivating the voices and sounds of legends such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones.

Ahmet's talents extended beyond business; he was a songwriter too, often using the pseudonym "A. Nugetre" (Ertegun spelled backward). He penned enduring classics like "Chains of Love" and "Mess Around," immortalized by musical greats such as B.B. King and Aretha Franklin. His contributions earned him a revered place as chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, underscoring his role as a seminal influence in forming the contours of modern music. Beyond music, Ahmet's legacy included co-founding the New York Cosmos soccer team, infusing it with star talent like Pelé, and fostering ties between the U.S. and Turkey through his leadership at the American Turkish Society.

Despite the passage of years since Ahmet's demise, the legacy crafted by the Erteguns endures. National publications like Vanity Fair have lauded them as “the virtual definition of sophistication.” Known for their glamorous gatherings, the Erteguns’ soirées were more than glitzy affairs; they were intellectual incubators sparking creativity and collaboration among illustrious guests including Jacqueline Onassis, Joan Didion, Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger, Henry Kissinger, and Kid Rock. These meetings became legendary muses for cultural evolution.

Their prosperity enabled the couple to inhabit luxurious abodes in the heart of Manhattan, the Hamptons, historic Paris, and Bodrum’s stunning shores in Turkey. These residences, replete with elegance and comfort, often captured the limelight in elite society columns and publications, cementing their lifestyle as aspirational for many.

While Ahmet cultivated musical gems, Mica’s artistic legacy flourished in the design world. As the co-founder of MAC II alongside Chessy Rayner, Mica's visionary designs metamorphosed into monumental interiors across North and South America, Europe, and beyond. Their aesthetic vision—a harmonious blend of minimalist sophistication and opulent refinement—was renowned for integrating modern and Impressionist artworks, securing editorial acclaim in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor among other prestigious platforms.

One of their hallmark achievements was the 1969 transformation of Saks Fifth Avenue’s fifth floor into the Street of Shops, an innovative concept that redefined retail design and solidified Mica's influence as a design pioneer in high-end retail environments, prominently featuring designers like Adolfo, Oscar de la Renta, and Bill Blass.

Mica’s resonance extends dramatically beyond the plush interiors she designed. Her philanthropic pursuits are distinguished by contributions to global cultural and educational initiatives. In December, Aretha Franklin serenaded her at the dedication of the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center, made possible by Mica’s $9 million gift, underscoring her deep-seated commitment to the arts.

Several times a year, she traveled to Oxford to check on progress at the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme, launched in 2012 with her $41 million pledge—the largest gift for humanities students in the university’s 900-year history.

On March 19, she was in Jerusalem, where her largesse accomplished arguably the most miraculous-sounding feat in the annals of modern philanthropy: the reopening of the tomb of Jesus Christ. Ertegun provided a lead gift of $1.4 million to the World Monuments Fund, which enabled the restoration of the Edicule, the structure inside the 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre that covers the cave where, many of the faithful believe, Jesus was entombed. Since the 19th century, the limestone-and-marble Edicule had been in danger of collapse and was shored up by an ugly iron cage. At a ceremony celebrating the restoration, the costs of which totaled nearly $4 million, Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine, issued a proclamation naming Mica “Great Cross-Bearer,” the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem’s highest honor, and told her, “Mica, you made the impossible possible.”

In tribute to Ahmet's musical influence, she established the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, ensuring that their support of the arts continues to inspire countless lives. In recognition of her pervasive impact, Mica was appointed an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017, acknowledging her services to philanthropy, education, and fostering British-American cultural relations.

Mica Ertegun’s enduring legacy encapsulates a life steeped in elegance, influence, and an unwavering quest for excellence. Her ability to meld cultural elements in her designs and her staunch support for the arts resonates powerfully across generations.

Her passing in December 2023 at the age of 97 marked the conclusion of an epoch, yet her spirit lives on through the treasures she curated, the lives she touched, and the foundations she strengthened. The upcoming auctions at Christie’s not only commemorate her life's illustrious work but also channel proceeds to further causes she deeply cherished.

To read more about the collection highlights, see part 2 of this post.

At Vitruvian Arts, we are passionate about the inspiring stories of collectors like Mica Ertegun. We take pride in helping collectors curate collections that not only honour their legacy but also endure as timeless treasures.

Embark on your own journey of collecting and learn more about the art of building a lasting collection by following us at @vitruvianarts.

(C) Photograph “Looking Down”, New York, 2009, by fine art photographer Christopher Hauser.